Controls on the seafloor exposure of detachment fault surfaces.

Olive, Jean-Arthur , Parnell-Turner, Ross , Escartín, Javier , Smith, Deborah K. and Petersen, Sven (2019) Controls on the seafloor exposure of detachment fault surfaces. Open Access Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 506 . pp. 381-387. DOI 10.1016/j.epsl.2018.11.001.

[thumbnail of Olive.pdf] Text
Olive.pdf - Reprinted Version
Restricted to Registered users only

Download (2MB) | Contact
[thumbnail of Olive2019.pdf]
Preview
Text
Olive2019.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (3MB) | Preview

Supplementary data:

Abstract

Highlights

• A small fraction of corrugated detachment fault surfaces is eventually exposed at the seafloor.
• Seafloor slopes indicate effective friction of ∼0.2 on shallow part of detachments.
• Moderate-offset detachment faults may be largely blanketed by hanging wall material.
• Seafloor-shaping processes profoundly alter the morphology of oceanic core complexes.

Abstract

While oceanic detachment faults have been proposed to account for the accretion of ∼40% of new seafloor in the North Atlantic ocean, clear exposures of large-offset, often-corrugated fault surfaces remain scarce and spatially limited. To help resolve this paradox, we examine the conditions under which detachment fault growth may or may not lead to extensive exposure of corrugated fault planes at the seafloor. Using high-resolution bathymetry from four detachment faults at the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, we investigate the rafting of hanging wall-derived debris over emerging fault scarps, which can lead to covering shallow-dipping corrugated fault surfaces. We model this process using critical taper theory, and infer low effective friction coefficients (∼0.2) on the shallowest portion of detachment faults. A corollary to this result is that detachments emerging from the seafloor at angles <13° are more likely to become blanketed under an apron of hanging wall material. We generalize these findings as a simple model for the progressive exposure and flexural rotation of detachment footwalls, which accounts for the continued action of seafloor-shaping processes. Our model suggests that many moderate-offset, hidden detachment faults may exist along slow mid-ocean ridges, and do not feature an exposed fault surface.

Document Type: Article
Funder compliance: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/604500
Keywords: mid-ocean ridge, detachment faulting, oceanic core complex, critical taper, fault friction
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-MUHS > Marine Mineralische Rohstoffe
Scripps
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-MUHS
Woods Hole
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Elsevier
Projects: Blue Mining, ODEMAR
Expeditions/Models/Experiments:
Date Deposited: 04 Dec 2018 15:33
Last Modified: 31 Jan 2022 09:14
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/44845

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item